Columbia, S.C. -
South Carolina Softball could not find a way to contain No. 9/12 Alabama as the Crimson Tide hit three home runs to shut out the Gamecocks 11-0 in six innings in game one Saturday. With the loss, USC falls to 24-22-1 and 7-12 in the SEC while Alabama improved to 46-9 and 17-5 in the conference.

The Tide's Ashley Courtney hit two three-run home runs to record six RBI for the game while pitcher Jennifer VanBrakle hit a three-run long ball to start off the game with a 3-0 lead.

The Gamecocks were held to just one hit and that hit came in the third when Jessica Josker singled with two outs. With three walks drawn, USC would get four total base runners for the game.

In the third inning, USC had Josker and Cornett at third and second with two outs but VanBrakle got Hughes to go down swinging and prevented the Gamecocks from scoring.

Alabama scored four more runs both the fourth and sixth innings to record the mercy-rule victory. USC had three errors that the Tide was able to capitalize on as well.

VanBrakle (23-4) earned the win for the Tide as went 1-for-3 at the plate with three RBI. Courtney went 2-for-4 with two runs while Jackie Wilkins went 1-for-3 and scored three runs.

Aleca Johnson took the loss for USC as she gave up 11 runs on 10 hits in six innings pitched. Johnson falls to 4-7 on the year.